Hi guys,
My mate seems to think police across the UK have an access to the UKARA database, which they check before sending Armed Police to an address at which someone saw you "through a window" (his words) holding an RIF.
My understanding of the law is as follows:
UKARA is a non-governmental database
It is only accessible by retailers, UK Border Agency (when checking imports) and Hampshire Police (also when it concerns imports), as per UKARA website
Its purpose is to protect Airsoft sellers from prosecution in case they sell a gun to an idiot who's going to use it outside of the Airsoft game
Armed Police doesn't have access to UKARA, and waving your RIF anywhere is a bad idea. He seems to think "Armed Police will check UKARA database first, because it's cheaper and logical". Well, it doesn't sound very logical to me, since UKARA holder can also have an actual, illegal firearm they're waving, and not a replica.
You can purchase RIF without UKARA number (eg. from a private seller, as online retailers seem to require UKARA number), as long as you're 18+ and you have a valid defence. You can also legally obtain RIF as a gift.
Am I correct here?